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Summary

A new method for the practical identification and recognition of trees -- and an important supplement to existing botanical methods.

The book is in two parts: Pictorial Keys and Master Pages. The Keys are designed for easy visual comparison of details which look alike, narrowing the identification of a tree to one of a small group -- the family or genus.

Then, in the Master Pages, the species of the tree is determined, with similar details placed together to highlight differences within the family group, thus eliminating all other possibilities. The details of the Oak trees on this plate are an example of the system.

All of the more than 1500 photographs were made specifically for use in this book and were taken either in the field or of carefully collected specimens. Where possible, details such as leaves, fruit, etc., appear in actual size, or in the same scale.

The leaves of these seven trees (genera) grow opposite along the twig, those of all other deciduous trees included in this book are alternate. It is, therefore, an important characteristic to look for. The Maples and Ashes, especially, are very common, and this feature alone often leads to their identification. Note that the Paulownia and Catalpa have very similar leaves, but the Paulownia is typically opposite, whereas the Catalpa, instead of growing leaves in pairs, sends out three leaves at a point (node) around the twig in what is called a whorl, but the leaves are not alternate. Even in winter, the opposite-leaf characteristic is still plainly evident, as the leaf scars (where the leaves were attached to the twig before falling) are clearly opposite. The Catalpa, of course, will show a whorl of three leaf scars around the twig.

The Maples, Ashes and Viburnums also have buds, twigs and small branches growing opposite. Notice that the Maple twigs are more profuse and smaller than those of the Ash, which has relatively few and rather large twigs. Look up from under the trees to see this. In winter this feature will prove very helpful in the woods where the trees are high-branched and often out of reach.

Dogwoods usually have pronounced opposite branching. The Horsechestnut and other Buckeyes sometimes do, but are not consistently so. The Paulownia and Catalpa usually do not branch opposite. This results from the lack of development of twigs on one side of the branch, which actually should produce opposite